[Issei Side]
Hours after lunch, Maurice briefed us on the world's situation. No new info—same as Ulm and Trim's accounts.
"This God of Destruction appeared once and vanished. Until it returns, we target the white creatures. Being reactive sucks," Maurice sighed.
Rias, Azazel, and the others groaned, deep in thought. I'm thinking too, but no breakthroughs.
Audilia's untouched, but other nations are fighting monsters. We'll move when they request aid. This could be a long stay.
Beside me, Alice was gloomy. "I'm… quitting drinking…" she mumbled, recalling her drunken antics.
I carried her to her room after she passed out. She woke in ten minutes, as Valkyrie predicted, but remembered everything and has been like this since.
I was shocked by her bold, flirty behavior, but her chest's softness? Seared into my brain, auto-saved! Even through clothes, it was divine.
Gotta cheer her up. "Don't beat yourself up. Everyone messes up," I said.
"But I acted so shamelessly in front of everyone…" she moaned.
"It's fine! Just be careful next time!" I said, secretly hoping for a repeat.
She squinted. "You're… enjoying this?"
Busted! My face must've given away my replaying her chest's feel.
"You're thinking about my chest, aren't you?" she accused.
How'd she know?! "Uh, yeah…" I admitted.
"Thoughts?" she asked.
"Amazing! Thank you!" I blurted.
"You pervert hero!" she yelled, her uppercut sending me flying.
"Thanks, Asia," I said as she healed my face with a soft glow.
Alice, arms crossed, faced away, ears red. Maybe I was too honest.
Maurice handed out papers with magic circles. "For emergencies. Contact us with these," he said.
Got it—white creatures show up, we get a call.
"Gather at the castle gate if contacted. We'll use the transfer gate," he added.
"Transfer gate?" Azazel asked, intrigued.
"Major cities have them. Connects for instant travel. Moves masses and supplies—like evacuating a city," Maurice explained.
"Impressive. Can I see it?" Azazel asked.
"Sure. Issei?" Maurice turned to me.
I've seen and used the gate before. No need to go. With nothing happening, I had an idea. "I'm heading to town. Gotta meet someone," I said.
Maurice grinned, understanding. "Buy their favorite. Here's cash."
"Thanks," I said, pocketing it.
"Be back for dinner. Valkyrie's cooking," he said.
"Got it."
"What about you guys? Wanna come?" I asked the others.
"Won't we intrude, Onii-chan?" Miu asked.
"Nah, they'll love the crowd," I said.
With the Occult Research Club, I visited Central's bustling town. Miu gasped in awe. Markets lined the streets, thriving with locals and foreign merchants. More lively than when I was here.
Forestnium was amazing, but this place hums differently. Miu's first time seeing it.
"Such a crowd. A festival?" Rias asked.
"It's always like this, but busier now. Maybe the peace treaty?" I said. That'd be great.
"Issei-senpai, that hat?" Koneko pointed.
"Borrowed from Maurice. My face is known, so it avoids chaos," I said. Magic could hide me, but it's a hassle, and erasing my presence would confuse everyone.
"Where to, Issei-kun?" Irina asked.
"To a diner I frequented. The person I'm meeting loves their pies," I said.
At the plaza, I checked a map. Found it—the shop's still there. "Let's go—"
"Issei," a familiar voice called.
I turned to see a tall woman with pale green hair tied back, slightly older than me, in a sleeveless white dress. "Risha?"
"Yes, long time," Risha Cleas smiled, my travel companion and big-sister figure, four years older.
"Glad to see you. Heard you're an instructor now," I said.
"Started this year, so I'm a rookie," she said.
"Still awesome. Congrats," I said.
"Thanks. You've grown stronger," she said, opening her arms.
Right—she hugs close friends. Always has, for reasons even Alice doesn't know. With everyone's stares burning, I hugged her back.
"You're so sturdy now. Not the kid I met," she said.
Trained hard. Her ample chest pressed against me, her mature scent different from Alice's. Heavenly.
Everyone's glares intensified. Rossweisse was distracted by shops, though.
"Your friends?" Risha asked.
"From my world," I said.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Risha Cleas. Call me Risha," she said, bowing.
Everyone introduced themselves.
"Where to?" she asked.
"Wildcat Diner. Getting souvenirs first," I said.
"Mind if I join? Been too busy to visit," she said.
"Of course," I said.
After buying pies, we reached Wildcat Diner, its sign featuring a cat. The exterior looked aged.
"Been a while for me too," Risha said.
"When was your last visit?" I asked.
"Three months ago," she said.
Busy as a magic school instructor, mainly teaching healing magic, passing on skills honed during our travels. She occasionally oversees combat training too.
"It's closed?" Rias noted the "Preparing" sign.
Lunch hours are over, so it makes sense. "It's fine. Let's go in," I said.
Inside, a small wooden-floored room with packed tables, stone walls with posters, and a ceiling fan. I came here often with Maurice. Alice and Nina snuck here too, getting scolded by Valkyrie.
"No one's here. Is this okay?" Miu asked.
I scanned the empty room. Odd for this hour. "Hey, Aunty!" I called.
"Who's there?" a woman's voice replied from the kitchen. "Forgot the sign? Sorry, we're preparing. Come back later!"
She didn't recognize my voice. "It's me, Risha," Risha said.
A woman emerged. "Risha-chan? Been ages, I was worried—" She froze, spotting me, then beamed. "Issei!"
Wiping her hands on her apron, she rushed over. "Good to see you, Aunty. Doing well?" I grinned.
"Of course! Why no heads-up? I'd have cooked a feast!" she said.
"Just got back yesterday in Gailpein. Arrived here at noon," I said.
"Maurice was here yesterday, all cheery, but said nothing. Was it you?" she asked.
That old man…
"With all these cute girls? Didn't Alice get mad?" she teased.
"Well, I got punched for seeing her change," I admitted.
"Still the same," she sighed.
It's partly Maurice's fault! And Alice changing in her office is weird!
"Sit. I'll whip up snacks," she said.
"Thanks. I'm here to see him. Brought his favorite," I said, showing the pie bag.
Her eyes softened. "Thanks. Take your time," she said.
I led everyone through the kitchen to the back door. A large courtyard with a vegetable garden awaited.
"Issei-kun, is someone here? It's empty," Kiba said, puzzled.
I smiled and walked to the courtyard's edge—a small gravestone.
"A grave?" Miu whispered. "Light…?"
Everyone's eyes widened, understanding.
Risha explained, "This is the home of Light Orville, Issei's predecessor as hero. That's his grave. The woman is Elnida Orville, his mother."
I sat before the grave. "Came to see you, Light. Got your favorite," I said, placing a pie.
We used to eat these together. Every visit brings back that day—Light shielding me, his blood pooling. My reckless choice killed my friend. The regret never fades.
But his final words, "Take care of everyone," are etched in me. A promise I can't break. I trained in the divine realm to gain the strength to protect.
I ended the war. But a new crisis looms. I must keep my promise.
I pressed my fist to the stone. "Light, I'll fight for you. I'll protect everyone."
This life you saved—I'll use it for them.
Standing, I faced the others. "I brought you here to share my resolve and a request."
"Resolve and request?" Rias asked.
"You've heard the situation. This enemy's likely stronger than Loki. It's dangerous, and our mission is just investigation. We're to return if it gets bad. But I can't. I'm here to defeat it, no matter what."
They listened silently.
"I'll need your help. Please," I said, bowing.
"Of course!" they shouted, their eyes firm, understanding my resolve.
One word sufficed. "Thanks!"
Risha and Elnida smiled. "You've got great friends," Risha said.
"Issei's a pervert but has a knack for earning trust," Elnida said.
Don't call me a pervert! It's incurable!
Miu approached Elnida, tense, ready to confess her demon heritage.
Elnida hugged her, cutting her off. "I know who you are. No need to say it. I'm connected to Maurice—I knew right away."
"But why—" Miu started.
"I've met many people. I can tell someone's nature by their eyes. Yours are kind," Elnida said.
"Still, I…" Miu tried.
"I lost my husband and son in the war. You lost family too. Maybe my son killed someone you loved. Loss hurts, human or demon."
Miu stayed silent.
"Peace is here now. We don't dwell on past grudges. We protect this peace—for my son, your father," Elnida said, stroking Miu's head.
"You walk beside Issei. He's a pervert but kind," she added.
"Yes!" Miu said, wiping tears. "I'll stay with Issei, believing in him."
"Good. Issei, don't make her cry," Elnida warned.
"I won't. That's my promise," I said.